Annual: grows to about 18-20" tall and wide.

Germination: needs warmth, preferably around 95°F. Takes about 12 days to germinate. Can be started in a greenhouse and transplanted in summer. Cover seeds with very small amount of soil.

Plant: Full sun / partial shade, tolerates high altitude conditions. Easy to grow. Prefers moisture. Can be grown in bogs or beds, full sun or woodland areas. Plant one foot apart.

Flowers: generally in August but October to December in India

Harvest: young leaves and stems as the plant begins to flower

Uses: leaves yield a black dye that is used for hair coloring and tattoos.

Taste: bitter, hot, sharp, dry

Food: cook young leaves and soft stems as a vegetable.

Medicinal Uses: the leaves are effective against venomous snake bites and have some cytotoxicity. In Ayurveda, the leaves are used primarily as hair tonics and liver rejuvenatives. In Siddha Medicine, they are used with ghee to disgorge phlegm lodged in the tongue and tonsils.

In both these systems of medicine, Bhringaraj is considered to be a rasayana, an herb used to rejuvenate and promote longevity. In Chinese medicine, the herb is regarded as cooling and restorative, especially for the liver and eyes but also the nervous system. All studies show antihepatoxic properties and deem this to be the herb of choice for cirrhosis of the liver. It is excellent for those with a pitta constitution or pitta toxicity.

External applications rely on the juice from the leaf and they are applied directly on swellings, ulcerations, insect bites, and even elephantiasis. Sometimes the juice is mixed with palm oil and sometimes with ghee. It is also mixed with sesame or coconut oil and applied to the head to stimulate hair growth and relieve headaches.

Chemistry: Coumestan (Wedelolactone) is a derivative of coumarin and is found in Bhringaraj. The content varies with the soil conditions in which the plant is grown. Less is produced when grown in acidic soils. Coumestan is a phytoestrogen and may have anticancer effects. Also contains nicotine, ecliptine, and coumarins.

Kaya Kalpa Preparation

Begin preparation for Kaya Kalpa by making a paste of bhringaraj leaves and ghee and brush on the uvula and tonsils to expel mucus. Do this in the early morning for 40 days or until all toxins have been eliminated.

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